I cannot recall particulars but I've heard such thing: an Israeli minister(?) met with a Polish diplomat and to astonishment of surrounding people, they smoothly switched from English to Polish and started playing chess still chatting in Polish.
Territories are not occupied. By international law, territories, such as Judea and Samaria legally belong to Israel. Israel, actually, gave more land away than any country should be expected to. And yes, they had to uproot their citizens from their homes in those territories. BTW, Judea and Samaria used to be governed by Jordan before it lost them in an offensive war against Israel. Since then, Jordan is totally cool with the fact that these lands belong to Israel and even have made peace with Israel since then. There is a lot of misinformation about the territories fueled by ignorance and antisemitism. Educate yourself before becoming one of the ignorant crowd screaming lies that perpetuate human suffering
Stalin's initial request was that all 15 SSRs get separate seats as per the Soviet definition of each was their own separate state. Truman said that would be fine as a similar definition meant all 48 (at the time) US states would get their own seats as well. Stalin backed down from that.
Erik Van der Zee no because each State it’s a different nation within another country. Michigan is not a different ethnic and national people from Wisconsin.
@@Orzel600 yeah but Louisiana is pretty different frok Michigan or new England in either case the U.N. isn't meant to represent ethnicitys but political states(specifically so multiethnic states like the soviet union didn't gain too much power) though sometimes autonomous regions are allowed.
Kudos for making a clear distinction between a 'young country' and 'people who have been here for a long time under various names'. I get the impression that some, when one talks about the national countries formed in Europe at the end of 20th century, forgets that usually people have been there for 1000+ years while the governments and states have been the ones constantly changing.
Belarus as an idea was created (by Russians) around the time where nationalism starter to become a thing - around 18th century. Catherine of Russia just occupied large amounts of the Polish-Lithuanian commonweath and, to prevent Polish uprisings, started to bolster nationalistic extremists, sometimes even making stuff like "Belarus" up, just to prevent the Polish uprisings from organizing. It's all in her letters.
People also, more often than what you said, I believe, think that a country's history defines its people and more. Examples of such bullshit beliefs: -My country owned that land 300 years ago, so it is mine. -This country once surrendered in a war, so that makes all of their people cowards. -This country fought a tough war 100 years ago, so its inhabitants must be very brave naturally. -My ancestors from a 1000 years back worshipped a different religion, so that one my country officialy has now is not mine or my people's. -The ancestors of that person, which fought a 100 years ago, did war crimes, so their grand kids are responsible for the too. No, you boomer leotards - people live only about 80 years and are not responsible for things their ancestors did, good or bad, neither do they inherently inherit their features, virtues or flaws. People need to realise that before ever thinking of speaking out on politic topics out loud.
Bro he literaly said that the national identitu formed in the 19th centuary not just the name smae for ukriane there is a study from the university of otawa about how ukraine identity formed in the 19th centuary as well.
I did and so did others who watch this type of content regularly, which is why he clearly said "many" not "all". And no, I'm not missing the "joke" , it's just a bad one.
You neglected to mention how WWII really really REALLY hit Belarus hard. In 1940 there were approximately 9 million people living within the borders of modern day Belarus. By the end of the war approximately 2.29 million were dead, civilians and military personnel counted together. That's 25.3% or a little over 1 in 4 people killed durring the war. That's by far the highest per capita death toll of any single modern nation in WWII, with Poland coming in at a distant but still horrifying second with a death rate of about 17.3%.
I am Belarusian and for some reason got recommend this video today. To clarify some things, I would say that Belarusians view themselves as a descendants of Grand Duchy of Lithuania as moden day Lithuanians do, and the name of the country doesn't stand for "White Russia", it stands for "White Rus". Rus was a mediaeval land which existed at the territory of modern day Belarus, Ukraine and Western Russia. There was also "Black Rus" because as well as "White Rus" those names were basically just created to name some parts of Rus. "White Rus" or Belarus was further chosen to be a name for the land by Belarusians. And yes, we are not Russians, our land was occupied by the Russian Empire after the end of Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth and that doesn't make us Russians. We speak Russian because of the Russification, but we still have our own language which is actually closer to Ukrainian than to Russian
Actually it’s a pre-parliament entity, superior to the government. The government-in-exile led by Ćvikievič acknowledged BSSR and dissolved in 1925, but the Rada (pre-parliament) didn’t.
These folks negotiated with post-soviet Belarus (that drew heavy influence from BPR), and they were ready to accept it, but it all stopped when Lukashenko's regime began. That's one of the reasons he also changed the coat of arms and the flag.
You're a koopa from Nintendo games but not fun fact : unfortunately due to some circumstances most Belarusian gamers didn't even heard what is Nintendo and think that the only Mario that exists is super Mario Bros and is the property of Dendy. Its sad because Nintendo makes the best games.
Belarus has always been a problematic thing for me. Growing up we were always simply told, “your grandfather’s parents were both from Russia.” (Maybe it was his grandparents, I don’t recall off the top of my head.) Later on I found out they were both from Minsk, their families moved to NYC separately when they were young, they met and got married. This was all around the turn of the 20th century. So I’ve taken to simply calling them Belarusian. But it’s obviously not all that simple.
It depends when they left Minsk. If before 1918, Belarus as a name for a nation didn't exist yet. People called themselves "tutejshyje" - "someone who lives here". They didn't speak neither Russia nor Polish. They spoke language descent to language that was used in Lithuanian commonwealth statute - it's closer to Ukrainian than to Russian (fun fact, Lithuanian commonwealth didn't use language that is common in modern Lithuania). If they left after 1918, Minsk was a part of BSSR. That's surprising that they said they were from Russia and not from USSR or BSSR
As a belarusian, some mistakes: Mentioned terminology (other's comment) - "Belarus does not mean "white Russia" it means 'white Rus'. The Rus were the eastern slavic people who were organized by the vikings into the Kiev-Rus state. So the Belarussians, Russians and Ukranians are descendants of the Rus, but Rus should not be confused as being synonymous with Russia alone." BNR wasn't puppet state of Germany, because when BNR was declared after All-Belarusian Congress, Germans not even recognize it unlike either Lithuania or Ukraine. It hasn't all state power, however. There are acrually 3 enlargements: in 1924, 1926 and 1939, but those in 1926 was not big and i understand why it was'n mentioned. Also, on map of 1939 enlargement we can see terrotory of USSR to the West of Belarus - it's was actually a part of B. and that time, but after 1945 this territory was transferred to Poland
> So the Belarussians, Russians and Ukranians are descendants of the Rus, but Rus should not be confused as being synonymous with Russia alone. Thank you. At least someone said it. I want this as some sort of auto-reply for dumb "hurr durr Rus means Russia" comments.
Andre Man Rus = Ruthene = Ukrainian, Belarus = White Ruthene. Russia wasn’t a thing until later but the legacy undoubtedly also starts with Rus and the Varangians.
@@gilgameschvonuruk4982 Depends on who's been asked. A pro-russian soviet sympathiser (such as Lukoshenko for instance) would treat the commonwealth as the nearly absolute evil, accusing it of enslaving Belarus folk. Meanwhile most of patriotic movements would rather say the opposite thing, since they see Belarus as a descendent of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Russia and Belarus are allies and, according to Lukashenko, Belarus is not going to join Russia because they "want to show аn example of cooperation between two independent nations"
@@uncorr6982 haha, yeah sure. It's obvious that we have a shithead for our president (Lukashenko) and that he sold our country to another shithead who's not right in his head. Truly the saddest part is, that we are still being compared to Russia and as an extent our "political beliefs"
I met a Belarusian in Vietnam. She was *very* adamant that she wasn't Russian. But unfortunately I can't speak Russian and she spoke very little English so that was the extent of the conversation.
Are they even alive to count as "in exile" anymore Because otherwise its like that one war the netherland had with those few islands that irl lasted not long zt all but officially lasted centuries becaus people just forgot it was technically relevant at one point
@@hlibushok They wanted to send their legitimacy to newly established independent belarusian state, but they waited until constitution and first presidental elections... so after it becacase of establishing of authocratic rule they dont send legitimacy
My German teacher was Belarusian. She looked like a doll (In the sense she was beautiful and had nice clothes) and was about my same age. I tried to make friends with her but nothing. She was like a wall. She was a great teacher and has been the best German prof I had
As a Belarussian I can definitely confirm that I exist, but then again, our culture is dying, since we our main language is russian,and that’s quite sad.
@@ramantarasov715 Lee Harvey Oswald was sent to Minsk after his rather strange defection to the USSR. Minsk was and presumably still is quite Russian-speaking and Oswald worked on his command of Russian there.
It became a thing because the Mongolic Tuva people wanted an independant state. The only reason it ended is that Stalin wanted it to become part of the USSR, and the Tuvans didnt really have much of a choice in the matter. It still exists in some form today, as the Tuva Republic in the Russian Federation, but like all other federal subjects of Russia, it is just a puppet to Putins will, and is subject to harsh russianisation. I hope this helps.
Black is white, Mexicans are pooling into Texas, Japan and North Korea are best friends, Taiwan took the mainland back, and my username isn’t just wishful thinking
Fun facts about Belarus: 1) The first settlements found in excavations are about 30,000 years ago 2) The first mention of full-fledged Belarusian cities - 9th century 3) The first princedom in the territory of Belarus appeared in the 9th century, the Principality of Polotsk. 4) The first mention of "Belaya Rus" was in the 13th century. 5) There were wars with the Russian Principality and the Russian Empire for several centuries. 6) However, the full name "Belarus" appeared only in the 19th century.
You forgot about a couple of important points before XIX century. Until 1690 Belarusian was language in which official documents of Grand Duchy of Lithuania were issued. Also polonization of Lithuaniam elite usually had following sequence firstly it was ruthenization and then polonization. A this revolt wasnt just Belarusian revolt. It was rather Polish revolt in which national hero of Belarus Kalinowski seen help for his nation.
Broadly-speaking, the split between Ukraine and Belarus reflects the fact that most of Ukraine ended up in the Polish part of the Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth, whereas most of Belarus ended up in the Lithuanian part. Ukrainian and Belarusian languages are much closer to each other than either of those is to Russian.
Belarus does not mean "white Russia" it means 'white Rus'. The Rus were the eastern slavic people who were organized by the vikings into the Kiev-Rus state. So the Belarussians, Russians and Ukranians are descendants of the Rus, but Rus should not be confused as being synonymous with Russia alone.
This is actually surprisingly accurate video on why do we still have problems with defining our nationality and it’s roots. Many thanks for explaining it to the Internet.
"Why are we here?" It's one of life's great mysteries isn't it? Why are we here? I mean, are we the product of some cosmic coincidence, or is there really a God watching everything? You know, with a plan for us and stuff. I don't know, man, but it keeps me up at night. (You think someone wouldn't post it)
If a god exists and has a plan for us, it's doing a piss-poor job of explaining it. Fortunately, no god, no plan, we're on our own, for which I, for one, am grateful.
My great grandparents said the same thing about Poland, they were Holocaust survivors refugees especially victims of persecution do not wanna go back and I’m sure you could see that now with what’s happening in Belarus
Belarus 2019: We're our own people. We are an independent state and have nothing to do with Russia. Belarus Feb 2022: We are now a launching point for Russian troops into Ukraine.
You are oversimplifying. The majority of Belarusians don't support the invasion of Ukraine. Think how that can happen, then. A hint: why can't I, living in Belarus, tell you the reason behind our government making a move the majority of population don't support?
It was actually a win win (kinda). The US wanted the Soviets to join (because if they didn't the system would fail). The Soviets didn't want to join and get out voted. They negotiated the number of seats (with the arguments already mentioned in the comments). And while the real goal was to get Soviet participation in the system, because New York was already going to be the main seat of the UN, US politicians were able to tell their voters that they "traded" the three votes in order to get the UN HQ. (which really was more of a benefit to the UN than the US, but prestige is always good).
Thanks for making this explanatory video about my homeland!! I moved to another country long ago, but what is happening to my country now is simply painful. I hope that one day Belarus will become a truly democratic independent state.
Не смешите, пока усатый присосался к финансовым вливаниям из России Беларусь так и будет де юре частью РФ. С другой стороны, можно попробовать покусать эту кормящую руку как сосед. Врядли получится трули демократик индепендент стейт.
@@somegpigy надеюсь ты пишешь эти гадости про моего президента, уже находясь за пределами моей страны. Как правильно отметил комментатор выше - у Беларуси большое будущее впереди, когда наконец все недовольные либералы покинут её. Бегите-бегите, Саня останется с нами - всё будет ок.
Stalin wanted all the SSR's to get a seat, but America demanded that every state get a seat then, and so the compromise was reached. Pro Gamer move on Truman's part. Who gives a shit about UNGA? Security Council is where the action is.
random always equals funny random always equals funny random always equals funny random always equals funny random always equals funny random always equals funny random always equals funny
The 1863 uprising, also know as January Uprising, wasn't just the belarusian thing. It was multinational uprising aiming to restore the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
I'm just watching this for the first time and as a history teacher and avid Halo fan, I have to say I absolutely love your videos and appreciate the Red v. Blue reference that 99% of your fan base probably missed
Actually, the Polotsk principality is universally considered to be the first Belarusian state. Of course there was no such thing as Belarusian identity back then, but Polotsk was inhabited by the ancestors of modern Belarusians. Also, this principality was among the first ones who de-facto became independent from Kievan Rus', waging its own independent inner and foreign policy as early as in Vladimir the Great's time. Also, Grand Duchy of Lithuania is considered in Belarus to be at least partially Belarusian state. Of course the ruling class and dynasty were obviously Lithuanians, and there were a lot of Lithuanians living there, but no one can deny that Belarusians had a great influence in the Great Duchy. Well, before Poles took over, of course. Also, Belarusian People's Republic wasn't actually a puppet state, as it was never even recognized by Germany, and its government was formed independently from German control. Belarus back then didn't even have actual control over its territory because of Germany and, sadly, was recognised only by Ukrainian People's Republic (actually not, there were 20 countries who recognised Belarusian People's Republic, thanks to Raceris for pointing that out below). Just a small (or not so small) clarification ^-^
Belarussian People's Republic was recognized by all Baltic countries and Germany. There were 20 countries that recognized it. In fact, when the wars for independence in Central Europe were done, Belarussian government worked in exile in then independent Lithuania. Of course, the government had to move out due to disagreements with the Lithuanian president.
@@raceris7309 Oh, I didn't know that, sorry for the misinformation. For some reason I assumed it was recognised only by Ukraine, but it's good to hear that there were more. Sometimes it's really hard to consider everything that happened in Eastern Europe at the end and after WWI. Sorry again
@@ГригорийГ-ч4н You can't become a sovereign nation without international recognition. And I don't think that Belarus was under the presence of civil war. Quite the opposite actually.
You are wrong about term of word 'Lithuanians'.At first citizens of The Grand Duchy of Lithuania were called not lithuanians but 'litvins' and it related to belarusians, while modern lithuanians were called 'jamoitais'.
@senstarlight I presume you'd rather see your country suffer the same fate as eastern Ukraine than be under a dictator....as long as your people don't join nato and eu but remain neutral like Finland I'm sure good things will happen to Belarus
@@nicholasluigi Belarus would have to join NATO basically immediately for them to offer any help, a process which can take Months if not Years. The second Lukashenko is ousted and a Pro-Western government is set up, Russian troops would roll in under pretext of "restoring Order", and NATO wouldn't have any legal or legitimate reasons for backing Belarus.
Thank you for covering this topic. You're one of the few channels who looked on the issue objectively and barely said anything controversial considering our history. Mad respect!
@Jose Raul Miguens Cruz >Ruthenia means Russ >Rossiya means Russ Russia is just "Rus" in Greek. I know. But by the word Ruthenia we mean the territory of Kievan Rus, and not the space from Smolensk to Vladivostok, which decided that taking someone else's name is cool. >White Russ, Velikaya Russ Why are you adding a second "S" to the "Rus"? Русь....hmmmmm I don't see the second S here.
Jose Raul Miguens Cruz , in 1721 Peter I decided to steal Ruth’s history by renaming Moskovia (Moscow kingdon) into “rossiya”.., ...which is how you pronounce “Ruth” in Greek language.
Jose Raul Miguens Cruz , Muscowia, The name of the Grand Duchy of Moscow, changed for "Russia" by Tsar Peter I in the early 18th century. The goal of this change was to establish a connection between Muscowia and medieval state of Kyivan Ruth, thus claiming the right of Moscow to possess all the lands of Ruth. So russia as such has NO right to Belorus, Ukraine, or Ruth (Kyivan Rus’), and excists as such just since early 1700's. And speaking of Tryzub...it’s variations were used by Ruth rulers, capital of which was always located in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.
But it has nothing to do with Red/White Army during Russian October Revolution 1917. Etimologists say that colours in the past determined directions / regions: apart from White and Red Rus', there was also a Black one.
Ян Калиновский yes it was you cretin, look at a pre 1939 map and you will see the regions of Wilno, Polesie, Nowogródek, stanisławów, Tarnopol & Volhynia were within the borders of the second polish Republic. Get a fucking education. My comment was historically correct, you’re comment on the other hand is that of a charlatan’s and a peasant’s. I shall keep you in my prayers before I sleep tonight, so as to achieve the salvation of your soul, and the raising of your mind from that muddy dark precipice of ignorance in which you currently reside.
@@MJ-uk6lu Lithuania actually gave loads of privileges to Belarus back then, including making Old Belarusian the official language of law. It was a ‘live and let live’ situation. The only real effect they had was bringing Catholicism to Belarus, which remains in the Northwestern regions.
@@placeholder8768 It seems that they had been in positive relationships ever since Baltic tribes era. Lithuania was a name of the unification of those tribes. My reasoning is simple, if they were became a centralized power and have seen that it's good for both of them, why on Earth after desovietization they became two countries? It makes no cultural sense.
@@MJ-uk6lu Probably because we spoke two completely different languages. Belarusian and Lithuanian are quite different. However, there was actually a temporary union between us made in 1920 by the Bolsheviks called LitBel. It failed, though.
Why I speak-say... Its a simple "matter" of the big bang quick-creating small atoms, which create-formed DNA, which became bacteria, which became all the species throughout the vast-multiverse. Go now brother-toa...
Seriously though, Why are we here? I mean, are we the product of some cosmic coincidence or, is there really a God... watching everything? You know, with a plan for us and stuff. I don't know man, but it keeps me up at night.
Belarus in Indonesian is 'Belarusia' and 'bela' means 'defend' here, so when I was little I thought it was cute that they name their country as 'Defend Russia' haha, what a bff!
The word "Rus" in "Belarus" actually means more land, then Russia. The same word was used in Kievskaya Rus, which means Kievskaya land. But yeah, you can still joke that Belarus means white Russia, even Belarus people joke about it lol
@@hopeltuPrincipality of Polotsk, Turov, etc were close tied to kiev rus and then conquered by novgorod duchy. Only in 13 century Lithuanians captured them, and the rest of the ruthenia (remains of kiev rus) pretty much didnt put a fight because of that. Official name for lithuania was Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Ruthenia and etc. Grand Duchy at some point did even claim ruthenian throne. Also almost all official documents were written in ruthenian language (predecessor to russian, ukrainian and belorussian). Population of grand duchy consisted of 30% Lithuanians, 10% polish and 60% of ruthenians.
Some historical corrections: 0:51 "Firstly" and "Secondly" series of events happened after 1863 and not before. 1:09 The uprising of 1863 was not led by Belarusians "asserting their own identity", but by Poles trying to sway Belarusians into their cause by issuing Konstanty Kalinowsky's illegal newspaper "Peasant's Truth" in Belarusian. Their failure resulted in "Firstly" series of events. "Secondly" series of events resulted in two intellectual movements: Westrussianism and Belarusian national revival. Both explored Belarusian identity, but the former was pro-Russian, and the latter included art and literature and culminated in 1906-1915 with legal Nasha Niva newspaper being issued. It also gave rise to the Belarusian national movement which culminated in 1918 with Belarusian People's Republic proclaiming independence. 1:33 Belarusian People's Republic has never been a German puppet state. It has been proclaimed by the government formed out of the delegates of the first All-Belarusian Congress that was violently dissoluted by the Bolsheviks. A faction of this government did insisted on Belarus becoming a German puppet state by sending the telegram to the Kaiser, but it caused a dissent and resulted in some government members stepping out, and the German authorities turned a blind eye. 1:50 In fact, BSSR has been enlarged three times: in 1924, 1926 (both internal enlargements), and 1939 (annexation of Western Belarus from Poland). It should also be noted that Vilnius region was planned to be annexed as well in 1939, but Stalin decided to give it to Lithuania, and Bialystok region has actually been annexed, but was returned to Poland after 1945.
@@samuan001 Litbel SSR was too short-lived. It has been established on 17 February 1919 and disestablished on 17 July 1919 due to Polish Army offensive. It has not been mentioned in the video because it had little effect on Belarus compared to the Peace of Riga of 18 March 1921.
Poland: Wow, we get to divide Belarus for peace? Thanks, Soviets! Poland in 1939: You took half of everything from me! Soviets: *I don't even know who you are* Not even Lukashenko knows why. He’s too paranoid to make sure nobody takes a picture of the back of his head. He has security to watch his security
@@TheZett do you speak dutch and/or german ? because for me as a german native speaker its nearly impossible to understand a dutch sentence - just some words .. cant believe that russians dont understand belarusian sentences
max govaerts the U.N. And NATO won’t let that happen. If anything, Putin might just claim them as Russia’s property. Gotta claim tons of land when most of yours sucks real bad 🤓
"There are many questions that keep us up at night. Is there an afterlife, why are we here, and why is Belarus a thing?" - History Matters There few cases that present such a true sentiment.
Biggest mistake of Polish government after the WW I was to annex Belarusian land, now every Pole knows that we could have a great friend in them and maybe the soviet occupation after WW II would never happen in both countries. Another one was to never recognize the identity of Ukrainians and Belarusians in Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth centuries earlier. Kingdom would never collapse if those two groups had been properly represented within the country. Anyway Belarus stay strong these days! Greetings from Poland!
I don't think that many people in Poland have truly studied the topic of forming Polish borders in 1918-1922. Honestly, I think that in the end they were pretty good. Guess that you are a supporter of Federationist Concept. I don't know if that had any chances of working out. Both Lithuania and Ukraine were strongly nationalist. In that period, internal antagonisms would sooner or later begin. Just like in Czechoslovakia or Yugoslavia. Truth is, Belarusian lands were mostly agrarian and covered in forests, far away from any political events and centres. While there were some intellectuals, most of Belarusians in real life didn't have a clear national identity. When Germans estabilished Belarusian People's Republic, it was probably the only state created then by them which existed only on paper - without army, borders, functioning government. Would you rather leave all Belarusian lands (where also Poles lived) to USSR in 1921? It made no sense to act this way. I think that in that situation, with Poland totally exhausted and after few successes, the borders which included Belarusian and Ukrainian minorities were favorable... for instance for them. Many of them avoided Bolshevism, unfortunately only for a short time. But still, they didn't see collectivisation and Great Purge. Some Ukrainians joined OUN, but I think that Belarusians have rather adapted to the situation. The borders were favourable for Poland and for many Belarusians I wonder what do you mean by "both nations could have avoided Soviet occupation".
@@BartlomiejDmowski Writing from Grodno, polish occupation was terrible in 1921-1939. Polonisation, favors for polish soldiers, prohibited belarusian language learning and etc. Actually on september 17th western belarus met soviet troops with ease, seeing them as liberators. In 1940 belarusian schools were established, industrialization was going on full speed (cuz poland ignored its eastern regions) and etc, including kolhoz.
@@vasiliykarachun ah, Grodno. A city which was mostly inhabited by the Polish-speaking population. Ok, but now more seriously For me, a Christian and someone who loves both my homeland and other countries, it's a very hard topic. What can I say? I'm sorry. I wish that polonisation never happened. I wish that II Republic of Poland was just a land of free nations, like Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (at least that's how it is often imagined. As a country of equals). I don't know if it can be said that we ignored our eastern voivodeships. Poland was a big country and our different regions had completely different levels of development. Truth is, however, that eastern Poland was much less populated and less important economically. So maybe indeed our government paid much more attention to other parts of Poland, but I think that in the situation when we had to quickly build a strong country and counter foreign threats, it was fairly understandable. I still think that it would have been much better if WW2 never happened and 1938 borders remained, at least for Poland. You can't deny that USSR (at least in the Stalinist era) brought an awful amount of suffering. Has Poland reformed and developed after 123 years of opression, the city and are where you live would be much wealthier then, let's say, Minsk or Gomel.
"Жыве Беларусь, сябры!", - а почему бы ей и не жить: неадекватов из оппо шуганули из страны, можно и жить спокойно, ведь шататели рэжыма больше не помеха! 😄
Жыве, только внимательнее пересмотри видос, желательно с переводчиком, чтобы понять, что автор видео искажает понятия и путается в терминах, не под таким видео пишут "жыве"
I always fight pseudo-linguistic ideas people have, such as this or that language being "artificial" or a "dialect", but even to me _written_ Belarusian is fugly
Fun fact: There have been more Presidents of Israel born in Belarus than Presidents of Belarus.
That's a stupid fact
I cannot recall particulars but I've heard such thing: an Israeli minister(?) met with a Polish diplomat and to astonishment of surrounding people, they smoothly switched from English to Polish and started playing chess still chatting in Polish.
well that's quite easy if you only count Lukashenko (and maybe the 2 or 3 soviet guys before him)
@@Бородатый-к2н in general, we don't give a shit about that.
Territories are not occupied. By international law, territories, such as Judea and Samaria legally belong to Israel. Israel, actually, gave more land away than any country should be expected to. And yes, they had to uproot their citizens from their homes in those territories. BTW, Judea and Samaria used to be governed by Jordan before it lost them in an offensive war against Israel. Since then, Jordan is totally cool with the fact that these lands belong to Israel and even have made peace with Israel since then. There is a lot of misinformation about the territories fueled by ignorance and antisemitism. Educate yourself before becoming one of the ignorant crowd screaming lies that perpetuate human suffering
Her: I wonder what he's thinking about
Him: Why the hell is Belarus a thing?
She:*
He:*
It's very dangerous to think like this for me. My wife is Belarusian. And as we all know wifes are able to read minds.
@@a4yster get this out of your mind fast mate... or else.
@@joshuakevinserdan9331 or else what exactly? Actually, not my problem. It's his problem.
@@zhouwu it's just a joke mate. :)
Stalin's initial request was that all 15 SSRs get separate seats as per the Soviet definition of each was their own separate state. Truman said that would be fine as a similar definition meant all 48 (at the time) US states would get their own seats as well. Stalin backed down from that.
It’s fair if all 16 states got that. I don’t think it’s any different to if England Scotland, N Ireland and Wales got their own seats
@@aderinolamiju then would also be fair for the US states right? Our federation is such that each state has semi-autonomy and partial sovereignty
Erik Van der Zee no because each State it’s a different nation within another country. Michigan is not a different ethnic and national people from Wisconsin.
@@Orzel600 yeah but Louisiana is pretty different frok Michigan or new England in either case the U.N. isn't meant to represent ethnicitys but political states(specifically so multiethnic states like the soviet union didn't gain too much power) though sometimes autonomous regions are allowed.
Ade seats (barring shenanigans) can only be granted to sovereign states.
Kudos for making a clear distinction between a 'young country' and 'people who have been here for a long time under various names'.
I get the impression that some, when one talks about the national countries formed in Europe at the end of 20th century, forgets that usually people have been there for 1000+ years while the governments and states have been the ones constantly changing.
Belarus as an idea was created (by Russians) around the time where nationalism starter to become a thing - around 18th century. Catherine of Russia just occupied large amounts of the Polish-Lithuanian commonweath and, to prevent Polish uprisings, started to bolster nationalistic extremists, sometimes even making stuff like "Belarus" up, just to prevent the Polish uprisings from organizing. It's all in her letters.
@@singami465 And?
@@vilena5308 He implies that this is a reason for Russia to annex Belarus. Hm... I actually heard that one before somewhere...
People also, more often than what you said, I believe, think that a country's history defines its people and more.
Examples of such bullshit beliefs:
-My country owned that land 300 years ago, so it is mine.
-This country once surrendered in a war, so that makes all of their people cowards.
-This country fought a tough war 100 years ago, so its inhabitants must be very brave naturally.
-My ancestors from a 1000 years back worshipped a different religion, so that one my country officialy has now is not mine or my people's.
-The ancestors of that person, which fought a 100 years ago, did war crimes, so their grand kids are responsible for the too.
No, you boomer leotards - people live only about 80 years and are not responsible for things their ancestors did, good or bad, neither do they inherently inherit their features, virtues or flaws.
People need to realise that before ever thinking of speaking out on politic topics out loud.
Bro he literaly said that the national identitu formed in the 19th centuary not just the name smae for ukriane there is a study from the university of otawa about how ukraine identity formed in the 19th centuary as well.
"As many of you would know, Belarus and Ukraine had their own UN seats when they were under the USSR."
Me: Ah, yes. I absolutely knew this
I did and so did others who watch this type of content regularly, which is why he clearly said "many" not "all". And no, I'm not missing the "joke" , it's just a bad one.
@@gofast4476 reported
@@DonCristian_DPB you're right, stay with us please
İ mean guys cristian seems to be on a high horse. But he is right.....
@@DonCristian_DPB “The lowest is to argue on the internet. Reporting should only be used as a last resort”
-Internet Sun Tzu
Me, a Belarusian: opens RUclips
RUclips: why do you exist?
But why do you? Ps love the country
That'd be scary.
Just out of curiosity how heavily is your internet censored?
@@lightninggames5614, you can use VPN
@@lightninggames5614, я думаў, што ты кажаш пра такія сайты, як "Радыё Свабода" ці "Белсат"
You neglected to mention how WWII really really REALLY hit Belarus hard. In 1940 there were approximately 9 million people living within the borders of modern day Belarus. By the end of the war approximately 2.29 million were dead, civilians and military personnel counted together. That's 25.3% or a little over 1 in 4 people killed durring the war. That's by far the highest per capita death toll of any single modern nation in WWII, with Poland coming in at a distant but still horrifying second with a death rate of about 17.3%.
was Belarus already formed and within USSR in WW2?
I thought Belarus formed itself after WW2 was over.
@@LevisH21 ye it was formed before ww2
@@LevisH21 it was actually formed in 1919. However it was not recognized by anyone. It controlled some lands from Poland,Ukraine and even Russia
Let's not forget that Brest, one of the first attacked cities, stood for a whole month against the fresh enemy forces
@@martasorangeberry Belarus was formed before the war
I am Belarusian and for some reason got recommend this video today. To clarify some things, I would say that Belarusians view themselves as a descendants of Grand Duchy of Lithuania as moden day Lithuanians do, and the name of the country doesn't stand for "White Russia", it stands for "White Rus". Rus was a mediaeval land which existed at the territory of modern day Belarus, Ukraine and Western Russia. There was also "Black Rus" because as well as "White Rus" those names were basically just created to name some parts of Rus. "White Rus" or Belarus was further chosen to be a name for the land by Belarusians. And yes, we are not Russians, our land was occupied by the Russian Empire after the end of Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth and that doesn't make us Russians. We speak Russian because of the Russification, but we still have our own language which is actually closer to Ukrainian than to Russian
🇺🇦😚⚪🔴⚪
@@squidwardfromua 🔴⚪🔴 😙 🇺🇦
@@siarun_baslauski абавязкова!
Long live Belarus! ⬜🟥⬜❤🇵🇱
Everything was exactly as you wrote! Thank you for the historical essay! 🤍🤝
Fun Fact: The Belorussian People's Republic is the longest government in exile in existence.
It may be a fact, but I bet it wasn't 'fun' for the government :))
Actually it’s a pre-parliament entity, superior to the government. The government-in-exile led by Ćvikievič acknowledged BSSR and dissolved in 1925, but the Rada (pre-parliament) didn’t.
These folks negotiated with post-soviet Belarus (that drew heavy influence from BPR), and they were ready to accept it, but it all stopped when Lukashenko's regime began. That's one of the reasons he also changed the coat of arms and the flag.
@@midge_gender_solek3314 Yeah. Think they're just waiting for him to die or resign (unlikely) now.
You're a koopa from Nintendo games but not fun fact : unfortunately due to some circumstances most Belarusian gamers didn't even heard what is Nintendo and think that the only Mario that exists is super Mario Bros and is the property of Dendy. Its sad because Nintendo makes the best games.
Putin asks himself this question every night
But no one would be glad to see this bitch in Belarus
@@ЯнКалиновский-и2к speak for yourself.
I can just imagine Putin laying awake at night looking up at the ceiling thinking "Why the hell does Belarus exist? Should we just annex them?"
Ukraine and belarus should be russian
@@cmd9043 and all Europe should be German by your logic.
Why does Belarus exist?
Russia: "You ask good questions."
@Cyrill Angelo Dator Don't judge by yourself...
Belarus asks this question way more often.
@@zukunftverstehen in your dreams maybe :)
@@stanbrox Those Russian wet dreams am I right?)
@@mikolasambir4466 sure :)
Belarus has always been a problematic thing for me. Growing up we were always simply told, “your grandfather’s parents were both from Russia.” (Maybe it was his grandparents, I don’t recall off the top of my head.) Later on I found out they were both from Minsk, their families moved to NYC separately when they were young, they met and got married. This was all around the turn of the 20th century. So I’ve taken to simply calling them Belarusian. But it’s obviously not all that simple.
It depends when they left Minsk. If before 1918, Belarus as a name for a nation didn't exist yet. People called themselves "tutejshyje" - "someone who lives here". They didn't speak neither Russia nor Polish. They spoke language descent to language that was used in Lithuanian commonwealth statute - it's closer to Ukrainian than to Russian (fun fact, Lithuanian commonwealth didn't use language that is common in modern Lithuania).
If they left after 1918, Minsk was a part of BSSR. That's surprising that they said they were from Russia and not from USSR or BSSR
At the beginning of the 20th century, Belarus (and Poland, for example) was part of the Russian Empire.
Glad to meet you my belarusian brother!)
@@Kate-kl5hf actually no, they called themself Belarusians
@@Kate-kl5hf they used the lithuanian language ALONGSIDE old-belarussian language which has nothing to do with modern Belarus. LOL.
Everyone asks "why is Belarus?" but nobody asks "how is Belarus?"
As you might see, not good
@@TeaAddict141 lukashenko disapproves your message
@@cSwDamian oh I meant to say good, grand even thanks to his abilities of a leader
Good! And without lukashenko will be better:)
@@TTTuTTT no no no no, lukashenko disagrees 😁
As a belarusian, some mistakes:
Mentioned terminology (other's comment) - "Belarus does not mean "white Russia" it means 'white Rus'.
The Rus were the eastern slavic people who were organized by the vikings into the Kiev-Rus state. So the Belarussians, Russians and Ukranians are descendants of the Rus, but Rus should not be confused as being synonymous with Russia alone."
BNR wasn't puppet state of Germany, because when BNR was declared after All-Belarusian Congress, Germans not even recognize it unlike either Lithuania or Ukraine. It hasn't all state power, however.
There are acrually 3 enlargements: in 1924, 1926 and 1939, but those in 1926 was not big and i understand why it was'n mentioned. Also, on map of 1939 enlargement we can see terrotory of USSR to the West of Belarus - it's was actually a part of B. and that time, but after 1945 this territory was transferred to Poland
> So the Belarussians, Russians and Ukranians are descendants of the Rus, but Rus should not be confused as being synonymous with Russia alone.
Thank you. At least someone said it. I want this as some sort of auto-reply for dumb "hurr durr Rus means Russia" comments.
@@elaravi I only quoted this from comment of someone, but if i would not found it, i wrote it myself
Andre Man Rus = Ruthene = Ukrainian, Belarus = White Ruthene. Russia wasn’t a thing until later but the legacy undoubtedly also starts with Rus and the Varangians.
how is the polish lithuanian commonwealth seen in Belarus?
@@gilgameschvonuruk4982 Depends on who's been asked. A pro-russian soviet sympathiser (such as Lukoshenko for instance) would treat the commonwealth as the nearly absolute evil, accusing it of enslaving Belarus folk. Meanwhile most of patriotic movements would rather say the opposite thing, since they see Belarus as a descendent of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
USSR: Dissolve
Yugo: So anyway, I started blasting
The Eastern Bloc: bowling noises
"Why does Belarus exist?", asked Putin calmly.
Putin doesn't want them lol
@@ketzexi6276 Putin already controls them.
Russia and Belarus are allies and, according to Lukashenko, Belarus is not going to join Russia because they "want to show аn example of cooperation between two independent nations"
@@uncorr6982 haha, yeah sure. It's obvious that we have a shithead for our president (Lukashenko) and that he sold our country to another shithead who's not right in his head. Truly the saddest part is, that we are still being compared to Russia and as an extent our "political beliefs"
@@uncorr6982 no, the Belarusian people are not allies, exactly the Lukashenka's regime is an ally. People don't support Lukashenka
2:01 I like how France is peeking inside wanting to be a part of the victory but nobody is letting him in
You should read the larger story into it, it's much more interesting.
USSR wanted France to join
France needs to be punished severely.
*The Big Three*
🇧🇾 👀 🇫🇷....🐌🚬
I met a Belarusian in Vietnam. She was *very* adamant that she wasn't Russian. But unfortunately I can't speak Russian and she spoke very little English so that was the extent of the conversation.
So uh how are you? Cykablayt
It's pretty much the same now as wondering why Irish people are not British or why Scottish are not Englishmen.
@@solderbuff In the British Isles people do not have a shared common heritage. Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, are much more united in that.
@@arbendit4348, ulitmately, all people have the same heritage. It's just a matter or when the splits and reunifications happened.
@@solderbuff True, but some are closer or further away from one another.
Fun fact: The Belarusian government from 1919 is officially still in exile and is thusly the oldest government in exile in the modern era
Are they even alive to count as "in exile" anymore
Because otherwise its like that one war the netherland had with those few islands that irl lasted not long zt all but officially lasted centuries becaus people just forgot it was technically relevant at one point
@@Freedmoon44 Yes, they are still alive.
Didn't they return from the exile after USSR's collapse? If they did, then they are exiled for just 25 years or so.
let me explain this to you in idiot terms
1919
1991
thats about 70-80 years of exile.
@@hlibushok They wanted to send their legitimacy to newly established independent belarusian state, but they waited until constitution and first presidental elections... so after it becacase of establishing of authocratic rule they dont send legitimacy
My German teacher was Belarusian. She looked like a doll (In the sense she was beautiful and had nice clothes) and was about my same age. I tried to make friends with her but nothing. She was like a wall. She was a great teacher and has been the best German prof I had
So no boobs and no ass kind of like a wall?
Confined to the "student zone" lol
@@Juancilra lol
creeper
As a Belarussian I can definitely confirm that I exist, but then again, our culture is dying, since we our main language is russian,and that’s quite sad.
Lukashenko is trying to Change that He Is renaming things to Bellarusian.
Czech Silesian Mapper it’s pointless if our whole population uses Russian to communicate.
@@ramantarasov715 Would you say Geography Now's video on Belarus was accurate?
Btw you should ask Asa to do a video on Belarus.
@@ramantarasov715 Lee Harvey Oswald was sent to Minsk after his rather strange defection to the USSR. Minsk was and presumably still is quite Russian-speaking and Oswald worked on his command of Russian there.
Because you are russian, their id no such thing as belarus
I want to know how Tannu Tuva became a thing because it’s so bizarre to me
True 😂
William Nuno Tannu what?
It became a thing because the Mongolic Tuva people wanted an independant state. The only reason it ended is that Stalin wanted it to become part of the USSR, and the Tuvans didnt really have much of a choice in the matter.
It still exists in some form today, as the Tuva Republic in the Russian Federation, but like all other federal subjects of Russia, it is just a puppet to Putins will, and is subject to harsh russianisation.
I hope this helps.
Same
Tannu what ?
Belarusian people: *looks at title*
Am I a joke to you?
Edit: I thought Ukraine was a war zone, not Belarus. Calm down replies
no one there will even see this title. It's a brutal dictatorship. (See correction)
@@mangachu3626 that doesn't mean that they don't use internet, so plently of ppl will see this title
@@mangachu3626 lol Belarus Is a dictatorship but by no means brutal mate, the Internet is easily accessible and not blocked at all
Yes
@@xenosnowk6800 I for myself would consider regime to be brutal that has a human rights situation like the one mentioned in the article above.
«Belarus» doesn’t mean «White Russia», it means «White Rus'»
*Ruthenia
о говноед
This is the most pedantic and stupid comment
@@Berazhnitsa Yeah, and Ruthenia is a Latin form of Russia.
@@ivanbulatkin5978 ruthenia is latin from rus`, not russia
Next episode: Why doesn't Wyoming exist?
Wyoming is subsidiary of Tea Pot Dome.
You fool were all in Wyoming and we allways have been
@@lucascurtis9338 dark
Never heard of it
Wyoming does not exist, because it's all Ohio
0:03 Stalin trying to sneak into heaven lol
Why is Mc Arthur here and horse
Good eye!
George Washington is also their
@@heinzerr I agree with that.
@@heinzerr Why, he was a military general and killed a shit ton of people, the cause doesn't matter.
Anything: *exists*
History Matters: _Why do you exist?_
A short answer to all of those questions when it comes to land is simply: because some of it's inhabintants wanted to.
Because history matters
Philosophy 100
@@KAvanAlten Or another country, e.g. as a buffer state.
Other examples would be the funny countries that Europeans have set up in Africa.
@@Janoip Let me simplify it for you: history exists because mankind wants it to. It is not that the apples hanging in the trees have any need for it.
I just want to say one thing: long live Belarus! Greetings from Poland, friends 🇵🇱❤🇧🇾
Black is white, Mexicans are pooling into Texas, Japan and North Korea are best friends, Taiwan took the mainland back, and my username isn’t just wishful thinking
@@littlemacisunderrated412 ???
@@AirMadeKat Poland and Belarus are well known enemies, like, super well known.
So a polish man saying long live belarus is unusual
@@littlemacisunderrated412 Oh i though you were advertising your channel but that makes since
@@littlemacisunderrated412 huh? Poland and Belarus are not well known enemies.
Where did you get that idea?
0:03 lol Stalin trying to sneak into heaven
I just notice that, i was about to say it😂😂 hahaha
YES LMAOOOOOO
😂😂
Why tho? With his beautiful moustache he could just walk in and not being recognised
Maybe he could pass himself off as Elgar?
I think I just vomited in my mouth saying that
"Was Belarus another successor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania?"
No it is probably yet another successor of the Roman Empire
Restore the Tsar!
Emperors 4 lyf
You're thinking of Liechtenstein.
Minsk is the Fourth Rome
More like Romanov empire :p
The old belarusian language was the official language of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania)
as a belarusian:
before watching it: I feel personally attacked.
after watching it: That's some nice research you did.
Are you single? And do you happen to own an airline? 😁
I'm from the former Eastern Block too and I totally understand the feeling :-))
Fun facts about Belarus:
1) The first settlements found in excavations are about 30,000 years ago
2) The first mention of full-fledged Belarusian cities - 9th century
3) The first princedom in the territory of Belarus appeared in the 9th century, the Principality of Polotsk.
4) The first mention of "Belaya Rus" was in the 13th century.
5) There were wars with the Russian Principality and the Russian Empire for several centuries.
6) However, the full name "Belarus" appeared only in the 19th century.
fun fact about Belarus people:
they trying to steal Lithuanian history and pretend that its theirs
Was the belarusian city polotsk? You talkes about
Glad we got that cleared up. Now I just need to figure out why Moldova exists.
Molotov Ribbentrop
1812 russo Turkish war.
or 1821 i forget which
Bigger question is why Macedonia exist?
So that we could get Gandalf bopping his head at the sound of a saxophone for ten hours
That was a lot of work for the subtle "Red vs Blue" reference. That half of a second bit does not go unnoticed. Well played sir.
When was it?
@@Hand-in-Shot_Productions At the very beginning when History Matters asks the question "Why are we here?"
@@user-yv4mm6bx3c just put the timestamp my guy🤣
@@countvladious7805 The shot is so quick at the beginning a timestamp isn't worth it.
@Hand-in-Shot Productions
It's 4 seconds into the video
No one:
History matters to belarus: why are you?
Why are you gey?
Why is Gamorra?
Wherefore art thou?
No one:..........(blank)
so, everyone?
You're not unique
You forgot about a couple of important points before XIX century. Until 1690 Belarusian was language in which official documents of Grand Duchy of Lithuania were issued. Also polonization of Lithuaniam elite usually had following sequence firstly it was ruthenization and then polonization. A this revolt wasnt just Belarusian revolt. It was rather Polish revolt in which national hero of Belarus Kalinowski seen help for his nation.
Yeap, video makes it look like russian invented Belarus
@@Blackwing2345635 well, actually, term Belorussia is indeed russian invention. No one ever used it before occupation by Russian Empire
@@Blackwing2345635 They pretty much did.
"Were issued" in the territory in current Belarus and Ukraine not throughout all GDP. Russians and Belarussians with their alternate history...
Broadly-speaking, the split between Ukraine and Belarus reflects the fact that most of Ukraine ended up in the Polish part of the Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth, whereas most of Belarus ended up in the Lithuanian part. Ukrainian and Belarusian languages are much closer to each other than either of those is to Russian.
Belarus does not mean "white Russia" it means 'white Rus'.
The Rus were the eastern slavic people who were organized by the vikings into the Kiev-Rus state. So the Belarussians, Russians and Ukranians are descendants of the Rus, but Rus should not be confused as being synonymous with Russia alone.
..and the term existed in 16th century, not 19th
In Portuguese, we call it "Bielorrússia" (you might guess Rússia means Russia).
Russia is Rusija. The name of Russia means land of the Rus
In Latvian we call it White Russia
@@hueylongdong347 That's beast of a username. How did a Latvian even come to know who Huey Long is, when tons of Americans don't know?
Country - * exists*
James Bisonette's idol - why
2:29 i love how while you're explaining this, Yugoslavia is just doing Yugoslav things
@@stefansavic4799 this is very beaitiful, thankyou for Sharing.
This is actually surprisingly accurate video on why do we still have problems with defining our nationality and it’s roots. Many thanks for explaining it to the Internet.
Truth
You better stop claiming lithuanian history as your own tho
0:04 Ah I see History Matters is a man of culture as well...
Are we the result of some cosmic coincidence, or is there really a God? I dunno man, but it keeps me up at night.
@@ilgj05 ...what? I meant why are we here? In this canyon?
Señor Koza This is Reb vs Blue
@@charliesinferno Oh, uh yeah.....
Yep, in the canyon too.
"Why are we here?"
It's one of life's great mysteries isn't it? Why are we here? I mean, are we the product of some cosmic coincidence, or is there really a God watching everything? You know, with a plan for us and stuff. I don't know, man, but it keeps me up at night.
(You think someone wouldn't post it)
I mean why are we in this canyon
What is the meaning of lif-I mean memes
Read the new testament, Jesus lives
^Someone told me to fuck off when I said that once
If a god exists and has a plan for us, it's doing a piss-poor job of explaining it. Fortunately, no god, no plan, we're on our own, for which I, for one, am grateful.
Me: hey grandpa, are you ever gonna take us to Belarus to see our heritage?
My grandpa: why tf would you want to go there
My great grandparents said the same thing about Poland, they were Holocaust survivors refugees especially victims of persecution do not wanna go back and I’m sure you could see that now with what’s happening in Belarus
My Grandmother said the same thing about... Denmark?
As an American I would love to travel Belarus and Russia, just need to learn more Russian only know about 20 words haha
@@kinnekvonkazen yeah its confusing to me too
@@iammaxhailme I think you should visit our little country sometime ☺️ Maybe grandma just needs to be reminded of the pastries and she’ll join? 🥨
Belarus 2019: We're our own people. We are an independent state and have nothing to do with Russia.
Belarus Feb 2022: We are now a launching point for Russian troops into Ukraine.
You substitute concepts. Your "Belarus 2019" are those who struggle against their president who represents your "Belarus Feb 2022".
You are oversimplifying. The majority of Belarusians don't support the invasion of Ukraine. Think how that can happen, then. A hint: why can't I, living in Belarus, tell you the reason behind our government making a move the majority of population don't support?
And here we are in 2022. Putin is completely OK with Belarus being an independent country, but not the Ukraine. Makes sense.
@@thepsychologist8159 You have no idea what you are talking about. Read about the recent history of Belarus. August 2020. Then jump to conclusions.
@@thepsychologist8159 To add. We have been deprived us of our independence by the same man before he attacked Ukraine.
Why is it whenever I think of something, this channel makes a video about it.
I’m scared please stop
Me too brotha, literaly 5 days ago I was thinking why Belarus exist
yes
Bruh same lmao. I was also thinking of Belarus, and why it's not called Byelorussia or Belarussia like it previously was during the Soviet Era.
Next there will he a video ober Luxemburg Austria and Belgium
I was just talking to my Friends about the History of Belarus and why it exists.... this is weird....
2:30 Yugoslavia isn't having a good time
SERBIA STRONK starts playing in the distance.....
Yeah this is tipical for the balkan's
Let the comment section war begin!
I See you've choosen death
BOSNIAN anthem in the distance..
So basically, Stalin was allowed 3 votes at the UN decisions insted of 1.
Now that's a great thinking!
@sujajajjaakakajjs They actually did, but then US asked for 48 votes, kek
@sujajajjaakakajjs You get a vote! YOU get a vote! Everyone gets a vote!
It was actually a win win (kinda). The US wanted the Soviets to join (because if they didn't the system would fail). The Soviets didn't want to join and get out voted. They negotiated the number of seats (with the arguments already mentioned in the comments). And while the real goal was to get Soviet participation in the system, because New York was already going to be the main seat of the UN, US politicians were able to tell their voters that they "traded" the three votes in order to get the UN HQ. (which really was more of a benefit to the UN than the US, but prestige is always good).
He did control 3 times as many countries back then.
Ikr
Thanks for making this explanatory video about my homeland!! I moved to another country long ago, but what is happening to my country now is simply painful. I hope that one day Belarus will become a truly democratic independent state.
It will soon. Belarus has great future before itself yet.
Что ж ты несёшь такое, балбес)
Не смешите, пока усатый присосался к финансовым вливаниям из России Беларусь так и будет де юре частью РФ. С другой стороны, можно попробовать покусать эту кормящую руку как сосед. Врядли получится трули демократик индепендент стейт.
@@somegpigy надеюсь ты пишешь эти гадости про моего президента, уже находясь за пределами моей страны. Как правильно отметил комментатор выше - у Беларуси большое будущее впереди, когда наконец все недовольные либералы покинут её. Бегите-бегите, Саня останется с нами - всё будет ок.
@@ДмитрийБарбашов-х9и ты тролль или тебя дубинкой в 20 году до состояния овоща достукали?
Had no idea both Belarus and Ukraine had a seat at the UN while being part of the USSR.
Stalin wanted all the SSR's to get a seat, but America demanded that every state get a seat then, and so the compromise was reached. Pro Gamer move on Truman's part. Who gives a shit about UNGA? Security Council is where the action is.
@@alexandergangaware429 Instead of having one vote on UNGA they gave USSR other 12 votes LMAO
Americans are really smart
@@erenyeager6478 2 more.
When Poroshenko (Ukraine's president) brought that up about Ukraine I rushed to google it and was very surprised
@@Toxin___InterHalfer yeah, but two years ago Ukrainians voted for the clown as a president
Belarus exists because it almost makes the perfect shape of poland-lithuania if you play on creative mode
Belarus borders were defined by history of Lithuania.. eastern border by Battle of Orsha.. Southern border by Union of Lublin.
I8pT What game are you talking about?
random always equals funny random always equals funny random always equals funny random always equals funny random always equals funny random always equals funny random always equals funny
Is that profile picture from Brain4breakfast? Either way, rest in peace.
@@blitzm6423 Probably one of Paradox games
"Hey griff. You ever wonder why we're here?"
No.
It is one of lifes greatest mysteries
@@KINGOD7 Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
It looks more like a puma to me
Red vs. Blue reference my friend
"Belarus shouldn't be seen as some offshoot of Russia"
Putin and Loukachenko : I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that
I am from Belarus. Lukashenko is not that bad as everyone saying
@@Черепабло sure bro
The 1863 uprising, also know as January Uprising, wasn't just the belarusian thing.
It was multinational uprising aiming to restore the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Thanks. I was wondering about that.
As a consequence, lithuanian language was banned, allongside the polish(?)
@Don't question my comment Ah yes, that too
FINALLY i can sleep. Its been years.
exactly
what
I'm just watching this for the first time and as a history teacher and avid Halo fan, I have to say I absolutely love your videos and appreciate the Red v. Blue reference that 99% of your fan base probably missed
Seems much more important to study now... Due to current events. Good stuff; informative, short, and entertaining.. thanks for all you do.
that Red vs Blue reference was so good, love your content man.
Actually, the Polotsk principality is universally considered to be the first Belarusian state. Of course there was no such thing as Belarusian identity back then, but Polotsk was inhabited by the ancestors of modern Belarusians. Also, this principality was among the first ones who de-facto became independent from Kievan Rus', waging its own independent inner and foreign policy as early as in Vladimir the Great's time. Also, Grand Duchy of Lithuania is considered in Belarus to be at least partially Belarusian state. Of course the ruling class and dynasty were obviously Lithuanians, and there were a lot of Lithuanians living there, but no one can deny that Belarusians had a great influence in the Great Duchy. Well, before Poles took over, of course.
Also, Belarusian People's Republic wasn't actually a puppet state, as it was never even recognized by Germany, and its government was formed independently from German control. Belarus back then didn't even have actual control over its territory because of Germany and, sadly, was recognised only by Ukrainian People's Republic (actually not, there were 20 countries who recognised Belarusian People's Republic, thanks to Raceris for pointing that out below).
Just a small (or not so small) clarification ^-^
Belarussian People's Republic was recognized by all Baltic countries and Germany. There were 20 countries that recognized it. In fact, when the wars for independence in Central Europe were done, Belarussian government worked in exile in then independent Lithuania. Of course, the government had to move out due to disagreements with the Lithuanian president.
@@raceris7309 Oh, I didn't know that, sorry for the misinformation. For some reason I assumed it was recognised only by Ukraine, but it's good to hear that there were more. Sometimes it's really hard to consider everything that happened in Eastern Europe at the end and after WWI. Sorry again
@@raceris7309 and just how much this recognition mattered in chaos of civil war?
@@ГригорийГ-ч4н You can't become a sovereign nation without international recognition. And I don't think that Belarus was under the presence of civil war. Quite the opposite actually.
You are wrong about term of word 'Lithuanians'.At first citizens of The Grand Duchy of Lithuania were called not lithuanians but 'litvins' and it related to belarusians, while modern lithuanians were called 'jamoitais'.
Omfg a RVB reference in a history video about Belarus. Simply and utterly beautiful.
This has gotten really relevant.
Who else got the RED VS BLUE joke
Do you mind explaining... for a friend?
@@willek1335 0:04, its a current joke in the red vs blue series since first episode
...Have you ever wonder WHY ARE WE HERE...
@@willek1335 First Episode of Red Vs Blue
Me
"Belarus is not an offshoot of Russia" Thank you!!!❤😘❤
If you asked anyone in Belarus in 1910 what they called themselves none would have said Belorussian.
History Matters: "Why does Belarus exist"
Me: "In a week it probably wont anymore"
Don't even dream about Belarus not existing.
@senstarlight I presume you'd rather see your country suffer the same fate as eastern Ukraine than be under a dictator....as long as your people don't join nato and eu but remain neutral like Finland I'm sure good things will happen to Belarus
I am coming from future, it still exist and we still ask why it exist
If Russia invades, NATO will get involved, potentially starting a world war.
@@nicholasluigi Belarus would have to join NATO basically immediately for them to offer any help, a process which can take Months if not Years.
The second Lukashenko is ousted and a Pro-Western government is set up, Russian troops would roll in under pretext of "restoring Order", and NATO wouldn't have any legal or legitimate reasons for backing Belarus.
Algorithm woke up with a sense of humor, i see.
0:03 it's one of life's great mysteries
Red vs blue reference!
@@caboose8110ayyyyyyyyy
I’m an American but, Belarus is really fascinating to me. It’s a really interesting country and so is the culture.
Yes it is.
As a belarusian i think It could be interesting to make contact with you
Why do they let Lukashenko the clown run things in Belarus? They are now Putin’s puppet due to this.
probably the least interesting country in the world
I to be honest when read the title 'Why does Belarus Exist?' I didn't expect a RvB reference in the first 5 seconds
I love how at 2:28 a war in Yugoslavia is represented quite appropriately.
Thank you for covering this topic. You're one of the few channels who looked on the issue objectively and barely said anything controversial considering our history. Mad respect!
"Barely said anything controversial considering our history" - damn, that would explain why the video is only 3 minutes long.
0:20
White Ruthenia
We have been trying for 30 years to get rid of the image of "white Russia", please do not call us that.
Spurdö Spärde , +1
@Jose Raul Miguens Cruz
>Ruthenia means Russ
>Rossiya means Russ
Russia is just "Rus" in Greek. I know.
But by the word Ruthenia we mean the territory of Kievan Rus, and not the space from Smolensk to Vladivostok, which decided that taking someone else's name is cool.
>White Russ, Velikaya Russ
Why are you adding a second "S" to the "Rus"?
Русь....hmmmmm I don't see the second S here.
Jose Raul Miguens Cruz ,
in 1721 Peter I decided to steal
Ruth’s history by renaming Moskovia (Moscow kingdon) into “rossiya”..,
...which is how you pronounce “Ruth” in Greek language.
Jose Raul Miguens Cruz ,
Muscowia, The name of the Grand Duchy of Moscow, changed for "Russia" by Tsar Peter I in the early 18th century.
The goal of this change was to establish a connection between Muscowia and medieval state of Kyivan Ruth, thus claiming the right of Moscow to possess all the lands of Ruth.
So russia as such has NO right to Belorus, Ukraine, or Ruth (Kyivan Rus’), and excists as such just since early 1700's.
And speaking of Tryzub...it’s variations were used by Ruth rulers,
capital of which was always located in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.
@Jose Raul Miguens Cruz
>russian territories under occupation from Poland and Lithuania
Now you have shown complete ignorance of history.
Love that Red vs Blue reference at the beginning!!
But it has nothing to do with Red/White Army during Russian October Revolution 1917. Etimologists say that colours in the past determined directions / regions: apart from White and Red Rus', there was also a Black one.
Belarus: *exists*
History Matters: “Why?”
2:03 the Soviet Union didn’t annex polish land in he lead up to World War Two, they invaded and annexed polish land during ww2
It's Western Belarus and Western Ukraine, not Eastern Poland.
Ян Калиновский yes it was you cretin, look at a pre 1939 map and you will see the regions of Wilno, Polesie, Nowogródek, stanisławów, Tarnopol & Volhynia were within the borders of the second polish Republic. Get a fucking education. My comment was historically correct, you’re comment on the other hand is that of a charlatan’s and a peasant’s. I shall keep you in my prayers before I sleep tonight, so as to achieve the salvation of your soul, and the raising of your mind from that muddy dark precipice of ignorance in which you currently reside.
Jerzy Oborski Lithuanian: hold my beer
@@jerzyoborski5310 But Eastern Poland speaks Ukrainian and Belarusian. And Wilno speaks Lithuanian.
@@AetherTheGenshin Wilno was like 95% polish before ww2 and in lviv there were more Poles than Ukrainians too.
Belarus: *exists*
History Matters: Why does Belarus exist?
Vladimir Putin: I ask myself that same question every night.
I find it weird how they aren't just part of Lithuania after being one for thousands of years.
@@MJ-uk6lu Lithuania actually gave loads of privileges to Belarus back then, including making Old Belarusian the official language of law. It was a ‘live and let live’ situation. The only real effect they had was bringing Catholicism to Belarus, which remains in the Northwestern regions.
@@placeholder8768 It seems that they had been in positive relationships ever since Baltic tribes era. Lithuania was a name of the unification of those tribes.
My reasoning is simple, if they were became a centralized power and have seen that it's good for both of them, why on Earth after desovietization they became two countries? It makes no cultural sense.
@@MJ-uk6lu Probably because we spoke two completely different languages. Belarusian and Lithuanian are quite different. However, there was actually a temporary union between us made in 1920 by the Bolsheviks called LitBel. It failed, though.
“Why are we here?” It’s one of life’s greatest mysteries.
Why I speak-say...
Its a simple "matter" of the big bang quick-creating small atoms, which create-formed DNA, which became bacteria, which became all the species throughout the vast-multiverse.
Go now brother-toa...
Especially for Belarus.
Seriously though, Why are we here? I mean, are we the product of some cosmic coincidence or, is there really a God... watching everything? You know, with a plan for us and stuff. I don't know man, but it keeps me up at night.
Just to suffer? We were played like a damn fiddle
@@cyclone141 What? I meant why are we out here, in this canyon?
Belarus in Indonesian is 'Belarusia' and 'bela' means 'defend' here, so when I was little I thought it was cute that they name their country as 'Defend Russia' haha, what a bff!
Please, don't confuse Rus with Russia. Russians claims Rus=Russia, but it's not true.
The word "Rus" in "Belarus" actually means more land, then Russia. The same word was used in Kievskaya Rus, which means Kievskaya land. But yeah, you can still joke that Belarus means white Russia, even Belarus people joke about it lol
@@plrc4593 I didn't, I'm aware what the Rus are. But in my language Russia is Rusia, hence the connection with Belarusia.
0:04 - Love the Red vs. Blue reference.
0:03 Godammit, now I have to binge watch Red vs Blue again.
That is the law. If you don't you will be sarged.
not only watch it,but buy it on steam for permanent
0:27 WHEN THE WINGED HUSSARS ARRIVED! (on the left)
The history is much much longer.
At some moments there were kingdoms with capitals on the territory of modern Belarus ( Polotsk, Novogrudok)
why yall trying to steal Lithuanian history?
@@hopeltuPrincipality of Polotsk, Turov, etc were close tied to kiev rus and then conquered by novgorod duchy. Only in 13 century Lithuanians captured them, and the rest of the ruthenia (remains of kiev rus) pretty much didnt put a fight because of that. Official name for lithuania was Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Ruthenia and etc. Grand Duchy at some point did even claim ruthenian throne. Also almost all official documents were written in ruthenian language (predecessor to russian, ukrainian and belorussian). Population of grand duchy consisted of 30% Lithuanians, 10% polish and 60% of ruthenians.
Some historical corrections:
0:51 "Firstly" and "Secondly" series of events happened after 1863 and not before.
1:09 The uprising of 1863 was not led by Belarusians "asserting their own identity", but by Poles trying to sway Belarusians into their cause by issuing Konstanty Kalinowsky's illegal newspaper "Peasant's Truth" in Belarusian. Their failure resulted in "Firstly" series of events. "Secondly" series of events resulted in two intellectual movements: Westrussianism and Belarusian national revival. Both explored Belarusian identity, but the former was pro-Russian, and the latter included art and literature and culminated in 1906-1915 with legal Nasha Niva newspaper being issued. It also gave rise to the Belarusian national movement which culminated in 1918 with Belarusian People's Republic proclaiming independence.
1:33 Belarusian People's Republic has never been a German puppet state. It has been proclaimed by the government formed out of the delegates of the first All-Belarusian Congress that was violently dissoluted by the Bolsheviks. A faction of this government did insisted on Belarus becoming a German puppet state by sending the telegram to the Kaiser, but it caused a dissent and resulted in some government members stepping out, and the German authorities turned a blind eye.
1:50 In fact, BSSR has been enlarged three times: in 1924, 1926 (both internal enlargements), and 1939 (annexation of Western Belarus from Poland). It should also be noted that Vilnius region was planned to be annexed as well in 1939, but Stalin decided to give it to Lithuania, and Bialystok region has actually been annexed, but was returned to Poland after 1945.
I've also read somewhere that there was an attempt to form a Belarusian-Lithuanian Soviet/National Republic during/after WW1.
@@samuan001 Litbel SSR was too short-lived. It has been established on 17 February 1919 and disestablished on 17 July 1919 due to Polish Army offensive. It has not been mentioned in the video because it had little effect on Belarus compared to the Peace of Riga of 18 March 1921.
"Why are we here?" *Grif and Simmons in Blood Gulch*
Holy shit I got a 15 year whiplash
Next up: “history matters questions Belarus sovereignty”
Poland: Wow, we get to divide Belarus for peace? Thanks, Soviets!
Poland in 1939: You took half of everything from me!
Soviets: *I don't even know who you are*
Not even Lukashenko knows why. He’s too paranoid to make sure nobody takes a picture of the back of his head. He has security to watch his security
2:29 I like that little attention to detail you did with Yugoslavia.
Belarusian is also a distinct East Slavic language, like Ukrainian. Both are different to Russian.
Though for some reason Russians can understand Belarusian, Slovene, Slovak and even Polish with Czech, but not Ukrainian, it's weird af.
@@Mr.Heller not really
is it like another slang, or really different language ?
@@montana5105 Same tier as Dutch being different from German dialects
@@TheZett do you speak dutch and/or german ? because for me as a german native speaker its nearly impossible to understand a dutch sentence - just some words .. cant believe that russians dont understand belarusian sentences
Belarus: Exists
V Putin: "and I took that personally"
Interesting time to be watching this video.
1990s map: Serbia and Montenegro is on fire
I chuckled
Belarus: I’m only in the news cuz of annexation 😞
Belgium: Am I a joke to you?
Google User that place is fucked up and more divided culturally than the Middle East 😂
@@h.t.awesome3822 i live in belgium and i am a little afraid that there will be a 'Balkan" like conflict in the nearby future
max govaerts more like a third German invasion
@@h.t.awesome3822 yeah haha very funny but memes aside im serious
max govaerts the U.N. And NATO won’t let that happen. If anything, Putin might just claim them as Russia’s property. Gotta claim tons of land when most of yours sucks real bad 🤓
Love that RvB reference in the first minute!
I guess it’s one of life’s greatest mystery.
Thank you! You're like the only person to acknowledge it!!
wow literally yesterday i looked this up and got no answer. crazy recommended pull.
"There are many questions that keep us up at night. Is there an afterlife, why are we here, and why is Belarus a thing?" - History Matters
There few cases that present such a true sentiment.
“Why USA” is more dicusdible question. According it history’s length.:)
The author is clearly one of those cases!
Biggest mistake of Polish government after the WW I was to annex Belarusian land, now every Pole knows that we could have a great friend in them and maybe the soviet occupation after WW II would never happen in both countries. Another one was to never recognize the identity of Ukrainians and Belarusians in Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth centuries earlier. Kingdom would never collapse if those two groups had been properly represented within the country. Anyway Belarus stay strong these days! Greetings from Poland!
I don't think that many people in Poland have truly studied the topic of forming Polish borders in 1918-1922.
Honestly, I think that in the end they were pretty good. Guess that you are a supporter of Federationist Concept. I don't know if that had any chances of working out. Both Lithuania and Ukraine were strongly nationalist. In that period, internal antagonisms would sooner or later begin. Just like in Czechoslovakia or Yugoslavia.
Truth is, Belarusian lands were mostly agrarian and covered in forests, far away from any political events and centres. While there were some intellectuals, most of Belarusians in real life didn't have a clear national identity. When Germans estabilished Belarusian People's Republic, it was probably the only state created then by them which existed only on paper - without army, borders, functioning government.
Would you rather leave all Belarusian lands (where also Poles lived) to USSR in 1921? It made no sense to act this way. I think that in that situation, with Poland totally exhausted and after few successes, the borders which included Belarusian and Ukrainian minorities were favorable... for instance for them. Many of them avoided Bolshevism, unfortunately only for a short time. But still, they didn't see collectivisation and Great Purge. Some Ukrainians joined OUN, but I think that Belarusians have rather adapted to the situation. The borders were favourable for Poland and for many Belarusians
I wonder what do you mean by "both nations could have avoided Soviet occupation".
@@BartlomiejDmowski Writing from Grodno, polish occupation was terrible in 1921-1939. Polonisation, favors for polish soldiers, prohibited belarusian language learning and etc. Actually on september 17th western belarus met soviet troops with ease, seeing them as liberators. In 1940 belarusian schools were established, industrialization was going on full speed (cuz poland ignored its eastern regions) and etc, including kolhoz.
@@vasiliykarachun ah, Grodno. A city which was mostly inhabited by the Polish-speaking population. Ok, but now more seriously
For me, a Christian and someone who loves both my homeland and other countries, it's a very hard topic. What can I say? I'm sorry. I wish that polonisation never happened. I wish that II Republic of Poland was just a land of free nations, like Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (at least that's how it is often imagined. As a country of equals).
I don't know if it can be said that we ignored our eastern voivodeships. Poland was a big country and our different regions had completely different levels of development. Truth is, however, that eastern Poland was much less populated and less important economically. So maybe indeed our government paid much more attention to other parts of Poland, but I think that in the situation when we had to quickly build a strong country and counter foreign threats, it was fairly understandable.
I still think that it would have been much better if WW2 never happened and 1938 borders remained, at least for Poland. You can't deny that USSR (at least in the Stalinist era) brought an awful amount of suffering. Has Poland reformed and developed after 123 years of opression, the city and are where you live would be much wealthier then, let's say, Minsk or Gomel.
@@BartlomiejDmowski ah yes, the original globohomo - commonwealth
2:29
Absolutely love that Yugoslavia was on fire at this time. Superb small detail!
Love the red vs blue reference.
I thought it said: "Does Belarus exist?"
And I'm like: "Good question"
Lukashenko wants to know your location
Hail the Great Leader of the only true Korea!
Any plans to annex the Third Korea?
aw screw him
Q: How old is the comment section?
A: Born after Yeltsin.
So From January 1st 2000 Going Forward Got it
Born during Yeltsin
Born from Yeltsin
@@grom3 I don't have a good feeling about this comment
Жыве Беларусь, сябры!
"Жыве Беларусь, сябры!", - а почему бы ей и не жить: неадекватов из оппо шуганули из страны, можно и жить спокойно, ведь шататели рэжыма больше не помеха! 😄
Жыве, только внимательнее пересмотри видос, желательно с переводчиком, чтобы понять, что автор видео искажает понятия и путается в терминах, не под таким видео пишут "жыве"
Жыве Беларусь!!
Long live Belarus. ⬜🟥⬜♥
I always fight pseudo-linguistic ideas people have, such as this or that language being "artificial" or a "dialect", but even to me _written_ Belarusian is fugly